Orthotics and fell shoes

[Rhiannon]

Hopey,

Yes, a lot of orthotics are quite built-up at the heel and bulky, and are all wrong for fell shoes. They stop your feet doing what they need to do on a fell, and they stop the shoe from doing what it needs to do too.

Have you pestered your podiatrist about why you can't run in them with fell shoes? It's a lot of money to find they don't do the job.

One thing about David is he seemed to actively encourage a lot of feedback, and wanted people to be critical (his words) about his orthotics.

Rhiannon

[jodg]

Here my two pence worth!

Haven't used orthotics myself but have had foot injuries and know a fellow runner who tried inserts for a bit on account of his first physio. After he changed physios (after my recommendation) the new one thought that orthotics were all wrong for the fells.

I know that the physio worked on the stressed aspects of the bone joints in both mine and my friend's feet and that way got flexibility back which is what we need. I still have to warm up before runs by stretching my foot in a particular way and getting the bones to 'crack' a bit but aside from that it's fine.

I do feel that my foot is considerably stiffer after road runs than on hills.

[Clive]

Hmmmmm, as a fellow flat footer, this thread sounds quite interesting......
I have worn orthotics for about 20 odd years, and have over the last few years found my best podiatrist ever.
I wear the orthotics in Innov8s but have to tie the laces really, really tight so that my feet don't come out, or shoe ends up on it's own in a bog! Consequently top bit of feet really hurt due to tightness.
Have really noticed recently seem to cramp up very quickly, and always seem to have some kind of foot/ankle/etc niggle.
I shall have a look into The Lakes Runners Orhtotics as well. Cheers for all the info all.
Happy flat foot slapping.

[Antisocial]

Hi

Anyone got the address of the orthapaedist in Horsforth, have had a couple of recomendations and told cost is more reasonable than Settle.

I know this info is on other threads but had a quick search and could not see it. PM me if it is easier.

Thanks in advance

[molehill]

Think I may have to follow this route as I seem to have started pronating badly on left foot - to the extent that it's now hurting and straining stuff . Called in at a local podiatrist today and she quoted £70 consultation + 70 - 100 for cusomised inserts.

My big question is will they work in a pair of Walshes ? She immediately understood the problem (not having treated a fell runner before) with the shoe not being very supportive anyway, and is going to make further enquiries. How about innov8s or any other shoe alternatives?

This is something that has 'crept up' over the last 9 months, suddenly noticed it's damn painfull and is pulling me up. Advice appreciated.

[wycoller]

I'm not convinced that orthotics work in walshes, but I wear green superfeet in inov8's in place of the footbed.

Customised orthotics are expensive (but I get mine free from hospital) so I save them for my ordinary shoes. They do tend to be too bulky for fell shoes anyway. Huddersfield Uni tried to make a thinner 2nd pair for my fell shoes but they soon fell to bits.

[AJF]

I'm not convinced that orthotics work in walshes, but I wear green superfeet in inov8's in place of the footbed.

Customised orthotics are expensive (but I get mine free from hospital) so I save them for my ordinary shoes. They do tend to be too bulky for fell shoes anyway. Huddersfield Uni tried to make a thinner 2nd pair for my fell shoes but they soon fell to bits.

What were the fell shoe pair made of?

Leeds St James Orthotics dept gave me these massive plastic orthotics that don't fit in any of my shoes at all. They may be used as a doorstop or summat.

They also made some leather insoles with eva plastic on the outside edge of the insole for my fell shoes (I am a quite a bad supinator). They do not seem the most sturdy of things but I have been re-assured they can put up with the worst the british moors has to offer.

Only got them today but will report back as they seem great subtle insoles and I can still feel the ground well.

[Terry the Tortoise]

I started wearing orthotics in my road shoes after suffering from shin splints and have found that they helped...BUT...I never wear them in my fell shoes.
Because tarmac is a pretty new invention, our feet and muscles haven't had time to catch up (something to do with evolution) so in some cases orthotics are helpful. But, because the fells are uneven and have been there since whenever, our feet can deal with them and roll every which way, so support isn't really needed. The most important thing is to wear a light weight minimalistic shoe so that your feet can feel and adapt to the ground.
As for road running (sorry to swear!), I've recently read many papers and articles regarding injuries due to bad running technique and overloaded technological shoes. I have since tried to develop the way I run on road to reduce pronation and heel strike. Although it was strange at first and I couldn't run that far, with patience and determination I managed to up my millage and can now run without orthotics and wearing lightweight shoes.

Hope anyone finds this helpful.

[wycoller]

What were the fell shoe pair made of?

Leeds St James Orthotics dept gave me these massive plastic orthotics that don't fit in any of my shoes at all. They may be used as a doorstop or summat.

They also made some leather insoles with eva plastic on the outside edge of the insole for my fell shoes (I am a quite a bad supinator). They do not seem the most sturdy of things but I have been re-assured they can put up with the worst the british moors has to offer.

Only got them today but will report back as they seem great subtle insoles and I can still feel the ground well.

Not quite sure and I don't have them anymore - they weren't plastic. Superfeet are great though and very thin.

[Ady In Accy]

Anyone used heel raises in their shoes to reduce achilles pain/reduce chances of achilles injury? I am thinking of doing this as a temporary measure as I am getting an achilles niggle after running/1st thing in the morning. Any feedback appreciated.